Operation Christmas Cheer: MPC teacher struggled with rent

Despite her extensive educational career, Linda Johnson of Monterey said she still had an important lesson to learn.

"I think we all have to give and we all have to receive, and I think that my big lesson in life was to learn how to receive," she said.

Her comment is by no means selfish. Johnson, 61, has devoted herself to the students she teaches at Monterey Peninsula College, working part-time at the Business Skills Center and volunteering as a tutor. She said the money does not matter as much as the outcome of her teaching.

"I can't tell you how wonderful it is when someone gets a job and they're happy and come and thank me," she said. "I can't tell you how that does something for me."

Johnson's passion for teaching and learning, however, has also led her into many financial struggles and even a period of homelessness. Her most recent predicament occurred in September, when she realized her paycheck would not be able to cover the rent for her Monterey apartment where she has lived for the past four years.

Before being let go in 2012, Johnson worked in the Massage Therapy Skills Lab at MPC, which provided the majority of her income. Her current position at the Business Skills Center helps her pay the bills, but due to inconsistent hours her paychecks do not cover every expense.

"I've always been able to pull a rabbit out of my hat, or God has pulled the rabbit out of the hat for me," she said. "It just came up to the point where I didn't know what else to do."

Johnson began researching rental assistance programs but was worried she would be denied help because she is a single woman with no children, as happened in the past.

Then Johnson came across the Salvation Army Good Samaritan Center in Sand City. Overcoming her apprehension, she went down to see if they could help.

"They're just really nice to me," Johnson said. "I didn't feel weird and they didn't tell me I had to have kids."

After a week, Johnson learned the center would pay for the majority of her rent.

"I think I was down there hugging and kissing everybody," she said. "I was delirious with happiness."

The assistance gave her the boost in confidence she needed to move forward.

"Sometimes I've gone to places of self-doubt and think what my life is worth, and I don't think about that much anymore," Johnson said.

A lot of these doubts arose during her time in college and graduate school. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Johnson was one of the first graduate students to attend CSU Monterey Bay in 1995 when she studied in the Visual and Public Art program combined with communications, science and technology. With a rigorous school schedule, she was only able to work a part-time job, making her finances tight.

Before Johnson could finish her thesis, she had to take a leave of absence to take care of her mother in Redding, who had just had a stroke. When Johnson returned to finish her thesis, she did not have enough money to afford a room and ended up sleeping in her van and on a friend's couch for three years.

"Nobody wants to be on a couch, but I'll tell you, I was happy to have an address," Johnson said. "I have nothing to be embarrassed about. Things happen in everybody's life."

Johnson has also studied interior design and massage therapy at MPC, where she continues to take classes.

As a way to manage the financial stress, Johnson said she has been focusing on her spiritual development and keeping a positive mindset.

She said the kindness of the workers at the Salvation Army was something she would never forget.

"I'm starting to get a different picture of the role we play as human beings on the planet and really how important it is to help each other and to be kind, and smile."

Johnson continues to search for employment and goes to local food banks to save money for her bills.

"I'll be fine for a while," she said. "I don't know about the future, but I'll be fine for a while."

Operation Christmas Cheer

Operation Christmas Cheer is sponsored by The Herald, the Salvation Army and 1st Capital Bank to help local families that find themselves in need this time of year.

Operation Christmas Cheer has raised more than $2 million, which has been distributed to needy Monterey County families and individuals over the holidays.

The money helps people who have come to the Salvation Army for support. Applications are screened and contributions will go directly to assist Salvation Army clients on the Monterey Peninsula and in the Salinas Valley.

During the coming weeks, The Herald will profile several people needing help. New this year is a $15,000 matching grant from the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. So far this season more than $6,500 has been raised.

A special feature of the Operation Christmas Cheer campaign is that contributors can have a brief personalized holiday message published in the newspaper by using a coupon printed each day in The Herald or by printing it from www.montereyherald.com.

Christmas Cheer donations

Attributed gifts with message

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